Two new reports have detailed how Manuel Pellegrini’s rumoured £30million summer transfer budget will be easily doubled to nearly £70million.
A historic win at rivals Spurs last time out added some much needed sparkle to an otherwise underwhelming first season under Pellegrini.
But injuries and a lack of quality in depth have highlighted just how much work still needs to be done improving the team and squad this summer.
Pellegrini’s base £30m budget
Recent reports claimed that co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will hand Pellegrini a base transfer budget of £30million (Claret & Hugh).
Player sales will be needed to generate any further funds but Pellegrini will be given all cash raised by departures.
And now two new reports have explained how that rather paltry budget will be easily doubled to nearer £70million.
Sky Sports claims forgotten defender Reece Oxford is close to sealing an £8million move to German side Augsburg, where he is currently on loan.
Claret & Hugh have since made a counter claim that no deal has been agreed and would only be worth £4m.
Should that move go through Pellegrini’s fund moves to between £34-38million depending on who has it right.
The same site has also listed a series of budget boosters which will bring the total nearer the £70m mark.
How Hammers budget could quickly evolve
“The club will save around £5 million on Andy Carroll’s personal terms and another £7m on Chicharito’s whom they are ready to move on at around £10 million,” Claret & Hugh claims.
“That would bring them in a total £12 million in saved wages which could be augmented by the departures of Pedro Obiang at around £5 million, Lucas Perez, £4 million. With Edmilson Fernandes another likely departure at around £6 million.”
That would bring the total to anything between £60-68 million.
And then there is the chance of more funds being raised.
Selling the likes of Sam Byram and Jordan Hugill would boost the kitty.
Not what you spend but how
Of course there is a big difference between splashing the cash and spending it wisely.
Fulham are a case in point after spending over £100m and being relegated.
A number of low-cost Hammers additions in recent years are also examples of savvy recruitment.
The likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Fabian Balbuena and Michail Antonio are proof of smart business.